The fence bill is the law. Considering it was signed in late october, funded with start money in December, and they are already working on it is a minor miracle. Chertoff is worthless, but he does not get a vote.
Bush included funds in his fiscal 2008 budget to build 1/2 of it. Now WE must pressure congress to make sure they fund AT LEAST that much. This is very, very important, so contact your congresscritters.
The reason it was signed in October by huge bipartisan majorities was because it was before election time and the politicians wanted to demonstrate that they were strong on enforcement. Having watched many of the pre-election debates leading up to the mid-terms, I found it odd to say the least that the vast majority of Dems, when asked about securing our borders and cracking down on illegal immigration, stated that they agreed with the President's position on immigration, which essentially undercut their Rep opponent who was trying to make a distinction between the two parties on immigration reform.
Chertoff is just reflecting the WH position. He is not a free agent. The WH position on immigration matters runs counter to the majority of the GOP. Jim Sensenbrenner was incensed about the WH perfidy on his enforcement first bill. Sensenbrenner: Bush Turned Back on Bill
Bush included funds in his fiscal 2008 budget to build 1/2 of it. Now WE must pressure congress to make sure they fund AT LEAST that much. This is very, very important, so contact your congresscritters.
Neither the WH or the Dem controlled Congress want it built. Nor does the government of Mexico. I am a member of the American Council for Immigration Reform. Rep Hunter spoke to us a few weeks ago. He said that he would focus on the fence construction "like a laser." However, when pressed, it was clear that the decision was up to the Dems. He did promise that if elected, one of the first things he would do is to build the fence in its entireity. I am dubious.
This weekend, I attended a town meeting held by Rep Tom Davis (R-VA). Immigration was raised repeatedly by concerned citizens who are believing "their lying eyes" rather than the politicians spin on the issue. The Northern Virginia region and the DC metro area are being inundated with illegal aliens who are cramming themselves into houses and apartments and congregating in various communities on the streets waiting for local contractors to pick them up each morning for day labor. Communities like Herndon and Manassas are fighting back through grassroots organizations. The federal government has not been very helpful. The demographics of the metro area have changed dramatically over the past decade.
Davis also used the "undocumented worker" phrase and had no real answer when I asked him, as the former chairman of the government oversight committee, why aren't our current laws being enforced? He said that there have been hearings and INS said they needed more resources. When they were given the addtional resources, they still didn't do the job because they were ineffectual. I responded that is well and good, but who is ultimately accountable and responsible for enforcing our laws? A shrug of the shoulders was the answer.
I am very pessimistic that the fence will ever be built and fear that the Dems' comprehensive immigration reform bill will be signed by the WH. If that happens, we are finished as a country. It will just be a matter of time, not if but when, the whole house of cards collapses. A sad legacy for our children.